Hello,
Obviously, from the title I am into Roleplaying Games (the pen, paper & dice as well as computer games) as well as creative writing. I don't know if there are others around here who enjoy such things, but it's also about how these things have had an impact on me as well as simply enjoying them as a hobby.
When I attended university at 18, going to a university a long way from home, which was a very scary experience but in a way also a necessary step in trying to build my own life away from the confines of home. I was quiet, withdrawn and not the best socially (obviously) but I was determined to try and make some sort of effort despite the stress and anxiety of it all. For Fresher's Week, we were basically dragged into a huge room with lots of tables and randomly sat with other people from the course. I think I managed to squeeze out a few words. Anyway, I think I was looking for a sense of safety and for people to practically attach myself to. So, I ended up bumping into a couple of those people one evening when the course had started and they were heading to a newly formed Roleplaying Games Club (which happened to have been started by someone from our course who was also in their first year). I had nothing to do and maybe I came across as a bit lost on what to do so they invited me to join them.
I had often read 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books, which was probably the closest thing I had come to experiencing such a thing but it had always been something I did alone. From going along with them, it was probably my first step of both starting to develop some basic social skills as well as thinking about characters, settings and stories. At that point in time, my experience of computer game RPGs was minimal and my imagination/creativity was quite basic though I did have some. However, this was the step towards really delving into such things, discovering my enjoyment and really fuelling my enjoyment and escapism of these imaginary worlds and characters who had the capacity to be able to do almost anything, to have the freedom of doing whatever you wanted without real consequences. If your character died, you would just make another one. Sure, in the beginning things were a bit silly with crazy stuff happening but after all that I got involved with other RPG groups and online stuff. If anything, the online was more interesting because I had time to think before needing to respond.
All of this was a method of therapy because in order to create characters you need to think about their lives and experiences, which shaped them into the character they have become. So, of course, what better source of experiences, thoughts and feelings than my own. It presented me with a way of expressing myself, exploring those thoughts and feelings inside me and most importantly there would be no realistic consequences while creating a means of developing skills of social interaction. Also, when I'm reading now, or playing computer game RPGs, or anything I'm always continuously thinking about the thoughts, emotions and experiences of the creators of the characters, the setting and the stories. It helps provide me with some insight into both myself and others.
So, do others play RPGs (computer based or pen, paper & dice based) or are involved with creative writing?
I did start writing my own novel years ago but it's not always easy trying to find the time for stuff with lots of other things going on. Right now, I'm working on preparing to GM a game at my local RPG club starting in April so feeling a bit anxious about that but I always feel anxious about being the GM. I'm just trying out a new RPG so not sure how it's going to go. I'm also working on developing my own Fantasy RPG as I was inspired by someone who had their own project on Kickstarter and thought that it would be nice to put my own thoughts, feelings and creativity into a setting from scratch rather than constantly trying to find a way to make what I want to fit in to another setting. It all provides me with something to do and I do enjoy it.
